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Forest Road Scheme
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
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The Forest Road Scheme provides grants to help cover the cost of building forest roads primarily for harvesting but also for other management activities such as fire protection and recreation. Forest roads also improve the environmental value of forests by increasing edge effects.
All private owners of forests are eligible to apply. To qualify for the scheme you must be over 18 years of age and hold a Personal Public Service Number (PPSN). Companies must provide their company registration details.
A special construction works grant is also included in the scheme for 50% of the cost of the project up to a maximum of €5,000 per application. This covers work such as a permanent bridge or drainage pipes greater than 1 metre in diameter. Applicants must comply with all the conditions of the scheme.
A qualified civil engineer or engineering surveyor must prepare specifications and supervise special construction works and roads longer than 500 metres.
Forest roads enhance the economic viability of forests primarily by improving access for harvesting. In addition, forest roads also provide areas for stacking, drying and chipping of wood.
These are the terms and conditions for road-construction grants under the Forest Road Scheme. To qualify for the scheme you must be over 18 years of age and hold a Personal Public Service Number. Companies must provide their company registration details.
Forest Road Scheme conditions
These are the terms and conditions of the Forest Road Scheme.
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Grants of up to 100% of eligible costs incurred in the construction of a forest road are available and are paid in one installment.
In order to calculate the length of road that can be built you must determine the eligible area. This is based on the thinning schedule of the forest being served by the road. Where 50% or greater of the area is due for harvesting in the next three years the entire area is deemed eligible. Otherwise only the area that is going to be thinned can be counted as the eligible area.
Grants are available for the costs incurred in the construction of forest roads up to the maximum limit in the table below:
| Category | Maximum Rate €/Linear metre (Excl. VAT) | Maximum Density (metre/ha) |
| Harvesting Road | €40 | 25 |
| Harvesting Upgrade or Extension as defined | €40 | 25* |
| Special Construction Works | Up to €5,000 | Up to €5,000 |
An additional allowance is available to cover costs up to €800 where a new entrance to the public road is being created or modified.
Applications must be made through a registered forester to:
Forestry - Approvals - Afforestation & Forest Road Licences
Address:
Forestry Division , Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine, Johnstown Castle Estate
, Co Wexford,
Phone number: